The Wisconsin Gourd Society
Zeta Chapter of the American Gourd Society
"Cucurbitaceae Custodiae"

Calendar


Upcoming WGS Class Descriptions
 
Saturday, March 10, Noon – 4pm – AGS Judging Certification Class
Join the handful of certified judges and participate in judging the competition at the April WGS festival. Becoming a judge will give you a complete understanding of the American Gourd Society’s Judging Standards and will teach you how to judge fairly and with the gourd art’s best interest in mind. There is a $15 fee which covers the cost of the judging certificate and nametag. Come prepared to learn and do a mock judging session! Location: The Gourd Guy Farm, Blue Mounds.
Class fee: $15. To register, contact terri at 608.437.1944 or email thegourdgirl@thegourdgirl.com
Saturday, April 14, 9am-4pm -- Wisconsin Gourd Festival
Olbrich Botanical Gardens hosts this annual event. 
This year's theme is "Chairman of the Gourd" and promises to be a fun-filled day of gourd art, classes, competition, art products, raw gourds cleaned and ready for art, activities for kids, camaraderie and more! Come join us, take a class, peruse the beautiful artwork, ask questions of expert growers, enjoy demonstrations. This event is free to the public with free parking. 
Saturday, April 14, 9am-12pm - Gourd Carving with Gary Kvalheim
Gourd Artist Gary Kvalheim will help you learn the basics of gourd cleaning and carving using a rotary carving tool. You will learn which bits to use for specific effects as well as techniques on how to hold the tool to create different textures. Students must bring a medium-sized swan or birdhouse-type gourd, approximately 6”-8” in diameter, work gloves, a rotary carving tool (i.e., Dremel), 20-piece diamond bit carving set (available at most hardware stores), dust mask and safety goggles. Appropriate for all levels. Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison.
Class Fee: $60 for WGS or Olbrich members/ $75 for non-members. Class # 20-51. 
Call Olbrich at 608.246.4550 or visit www.olbrich.org/education to register; deadline to register is April 5
Saturday, April 14, 9am-12pm – Easy to Clean Gourd Birdhouse with Wes Nelson 
Students will learn how to grow, dry and clean gourds and then create a unique birdhouse to take home that is easy to clean at the end of nesting season. All materials are provided. Bring a dust mask, gourd saw if you have one and a Dremel tool. Appropriate for all levels. Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison. 
Class Fee: $45 for WGS or Olbrich members/ $56 for non-members. Class # 20-52. 
Call Olbrich at 608.246.4550 or visit www.olbrich.org/education to register; deadline to register is April 5.
Saturday, April 14, 9am-1pm – Beaded Swirl on a Gourd with Regina Riley 
Regina will take you step-by- step through creating a beautiful swirl bead design as you coil pine needles on the gourd’s outside surface Students must bring a cleaned 6-8” gourd, all other material is provided. Appropriate for all levels. Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison. 
Class Fee: $50 for WGS and Olbrich members/ $63 for non-members. Class # 20-53. 
Call Olbrich at 608.246.4550 or visit www.olbrich.org/education to register; deadline to register is April 5.
Saturday, April 14, 1pm-4pm – Coiling with Agates with terri schmit 
In this class you will learn how to add palm inflorescence as a coiling material to a prepared gourd and a separate prepared piece of agate. You will then lash the two together creating a piece with the agate as focal point. All materials are provided. Appropriate for all levels. Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison. 
Class Fee: $55 for WGS or Olbrich members/ $69 for non-members. Class # 20-54. 
Call Olbrich at 608.246.4550 or visit www.olbrich.org/education to register; deadline to register is April 5
Saturday, April 14, 1pm-4pm –Wire Wrapped Gourd Luminary with Katelf 
Discover how to wire wrap sea glass to create a functional and decorative gourd luminary. Students Should bring a wire cutter, lead pencil and a cutting tool of your choice (Dremel or X-act0 knife with saw blade, for example). All other materials will be provided. Appropriate for all levels. Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison. 
 
Class Fee: $55 for WGS or Olbrich members/ $69 for non-members. Class # 20-55. 
Call Olbrich at 608.246.4550 or visit www.olbrich.org/education to register; deadline to register is April 5
Registration in advance is required.  Payment for class will be made at the beginning of the class. Checks should be made out to the individual instructor. Class fees include all materials unless specified in the class description. Students should come prepared with working clothes and safety equipment (goggles, gloves).
We welcome suggestions for classes and are always looking for instructors. Please direct all questions or suggestions to the Education Committee at thegourdgirl@yahoo.com
Please send your gourd event dates and details to the Publicity Committee.
This page last updated on December 15, 2011
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